News

Dear BALIF Community,

As we reflect on the recent election results, we know this moment brings both challenges and hope for our community. With Donald Trump’s re-election and continued GOP control of the Senate, we recognize the continued threats to LGBTQI+ rights, particularly for our transgender community. However, this election also brought some historic wins: we now have the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, and, for the first time, two Black women in the U.S. Senate. These are remarkable steps forward that show our community’s impact on shaping a more inclusive future.

Here in California, voters have also passed Proposition 3, a measure that ensures that LGBTQI+ couples can continue to marry even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns landmark cases. This legislation sends a clear message that California is committed to inclusivity, dignity, and safety for all. The passage of Proposition 3 serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we can make when we unite our voices.

BALIF remains steadfast in our commitment to protect and uplift the LGBTQI+ community, and we are dedicated to:

Advocacy and Legal Support: We will continue to work with advocacy organizations and allies to defend and advance LGBTQI+ rights, both locally and nationally. We will continue to actively monitor and respond to policy changes that affect our community.

Fostering a Strong, Supportive Network: BALIF is here to provide resources, safe spaces, and community connections that empower our members during uncertain times. Together, we will build resilience and solidarity.

Education and Empowerment: Through ongoing programs, forums, and workshops, BALIF will help our members navigate the evolving legal landscape, including the implications of federal and state-level changes.

We know this moment can be daunting, but we are here with you. BALIF’s commitment to equality, justice, and inclusion is stronger than ever, and we will continue to be a beacon of support and advocacy for our community. 

Thank you for your ongoing dedication to BALIF’s mission. Together, let’s keep moving forward with courage and hope.

In solidarity, 

The BALIF Board

This week, we and other civil rights groups submitted a friend-of-the court brief in support of transgender youth and their families, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. 

The Supreme Court will be hearing U.S. v. Skrmetti, a case challenging Tennessee’s law banning medical care for transgender youth. Any law that prohibits medication for only one group of people is discriminatory. 

Every family should have the freedom to love and support their children, but these bans deny that right to families of transgender youth. That's why we’re proud to stand with Kentucky families who have been challenging a similar law in their state. As we wait for the Supreme Court to hear the case in the next few months and issue its decision next summer, we will continue to support transgender youth, their families, and medical providers.

BALIF unequivocally supports the right for transgender youth to have access to gender-affirming medical care. The consequences of denying this right are not only immoral, but often life-threatening. BALIF endorses the request for the Court to reverse the Sixth Circuit’s decision and make it clear that bans on medicinal treatment for transgender adolescents violate the Equal Protection Clause. We abhor Tennessee and Kentucky’s discriminatory attacks on transgender adolescents, and we will continue to fight for policies that uplift and provide safety and dignity for transgender people all over the U.S. and world. 

View the Amicus Brief Here

Law Student Association of the Year Award – OUTLaw UC Law San Francisco 

UC Law SF’s OUTlaw is a dynamic and inclusive student pro bono organization, dedicated to promoting LGBTQ+ visibility, advocacy, and community within the legal profession. Through a diverse range of initiatives, including social events, career development panels, and pro bono legal clinics, OUTlaw strives to create a supportive and empowering environment for LGBTQ+ law students and allies.  

Julius Turman Award – Megan Noor 

Megan Noor is a third-year law student at Berkeley Law School.  She’s an immigrants' rights and queer rights advocate.  Megan hopes to pursue a career in transgender and queer rights litigation after graduation.  

California Attorney General Rob Bonta -- Legal Service Award 

San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club – Trailblazer Award  

Lavender Phoenix -- Community Service Award  

California Attorney General Rob Bonta -- Legal Service Award 

Every year, BALIF recognizes individuals and organizations with an outstanding commitment to LGBTQ equity and justice who have significantly advanced those causes through their work in the law.  This year, we recognize Attorney General Rob Bonta for his tireless efforts and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ Californians and LGBTQ people across the nation.  

On April 23, 2021, Rob Bonta was sworn in as the 34th Attorney General of the State of California, the first person of Filipino descent and the second Asian-American to occupy the position. Attorney General Bonta's passion for justice and fairness was instilled in him by his parents, who served on the frontlines of some of America's most important social justice movements. It's why he decided to become a lawyer — to help right historic wrongs and fight for people who have been harmed. He worked his way through college and graduated with honors from Yale University and attended Yale Law School. Attorney General Bonta has led statewide fights for racial, economic, and environmental justice and worked to further the rights of immigrant families, renters, and working Californians. He previously worked as a Deputy City Attorney for the City and County of San Francisco, where he represented the City and County and its employees, and fought to protect Californians from exploitation and racial profiling. He went on to pursue elected office in Alameda County, first as an Alameda Council Member and later as an Assemblymember representing Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro. In the State Assembly, Attorney General Bonta enacted nation-leading reforms to inject more justice and fairness into government and institutions. As the People's Attorney, he sees seeking accountability from those who abuse their power and harm others as one of the most important functions of the job. He is married to Mia Bonta, and they are the proud parents of three children Reina, Iliana, and Andres, as well as their dog Legolas.

San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club – Trailblazer Award  

Since 2020, BALIF has honored individuals and organizations who make great strides in LGBTQ with a vision of for the future of the LGBTQ community.  The San Francisco Spikes Soccer Club is an all gender LGBTQ+  and allied soccer club. The club’s origins are as a team formed to compete in the first Gay Games.  When team members wanted to keep playing soccer together after the games, the Spikes were born!  Today the club is home to over 160 dues paying members who represent a multitude of identities across the queer community.  The Spikes offer competitive, intermediate, and recreational soccer programming.  The club plays futsal indoors during the winter and throughout the rest of the year practices, competes in local leagues, and sends teams to tournaments across North America and the world.  As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization the Spikes also believe that everyone should have access to an inclusive soccer community, regardless of financial means. The club provides scholarships to anyone in need who wants to play with the club.  

Lavender Phoenix -- Community Service Award  

Every year, BALIF also honors individuals and organizations who empower and support our LGBTQ community in the Bay Area.  This year BALIF honors Lavender Phoenix (formerly known as APIENC).  Lavender Phoenix builds transgender, non-binary, and queer Asian and Pacific Islander power to transform our communities.  Through its organizing work, the organization trains grassroots leaders, advances community safety, and advocates for healing justice. 

Love BALIF? Want to help us grow our community and increase our LGBTQ+ advocacy and reach? For the month of February, if you refer a friend, colleague, family member or community member to join BALIF, we’ll give you a FREE drink coupon (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) for use at our 44th Annual Gala on March 1st! 

How? If you refer someone new to BALIF, let them know they can provide your name in the “referred by” field when filling out their membership application: 

https://www.balif.org/membership and we’ll be in touch about your coupon!

Questions? Email membership@balif.org

The Julius Turman Award will be granted by the BALIF Foundation to one law student each year who has shown outstanding commitment to advocacy for LGBTQI+ individuals. 

The recipient must be currently a member of BALIF, enrolled at a Bay Area Law School, identify somewhere on the LGBTQI+ spectrum, and awardee will be recognized at the BALIF Gala at the Julia Morgan Ballroom on March 1, 2024. The Award will be administered annually by a committee composed of members of the BALIF Foundation directors. 

The Award will include a monetary stipend (up to $1,500) to be used in support of attending Lavender Law or another appropriate conference or purpose (as identified by the award recipient and award committee). 

Nominations must be received by February 9, 2024. Finalists for the Julius Turman Award may be invited to participate in an interview in mid-February.

*Please note you can nominate yourself.

Click Here to Apply

BALIF Foundation invites all LGBTQI law student associations in the Bay Area to apply for BALIF Foundation’s annual “Law Student Association of the Year” award.  

Each year, the award is presented to a Bay Area law student group that has demonstrated a unique level of commitment to serving the LGBTQI community at its law school and in its community.

The selected law school association will win a cash prize of $500 and will be recognized at the BALIF Annual Gala to be held on Friday, March 1, 2024 at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. (www.balif.org)

We look forward to receipt of your application for the 2024 award.

Applications Due: February 15, 2024 by 5pm

Click Here to Apply

BALIF's New Lawyers Committee is accepting applications for the 2022-2023 Mentorship Program! BALIF's incredibly successful mentorship program is back and we're hoping to recruit eager law students, post-bar graduates, and lawyers of every experience level to receive mentorship from a wide array of legal backgrounds and life experiences. As any lawyer will tell you, mentoring is an integral part to any professional's success in their career. 

If you are interested in applying to be either a mentee or mentor (or both if you're a practicing lawyer!), please follow the links to the appropriate application (all responses are confidential, and the entire application can be completed in 5 minutes). Applications will close Wednesday, October 5th, and pairings will be released at BALIF's Annual Mentor/Mentee Happy Hour, which will take place on Thursday, October 13. Please check your email and the BALIF newsletter for updates. If anyone has any questions, feel free to reach out to the New Lawyers and Law Students Co-Chairs at newlawyers@balif.org. 

Click here for the Mentee Application.

Click here for the Mentor Application. 

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California is pleased to announce that it has selected California Deputy Attorney General Lisa J. Cisneros to fill the magistrate judgeship recently vacated by Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley upon her appointment as a U.S. District Judge.

Ms. Cisneros will join the court from the California Department of Justice, where she serves as a Deputy Attorney General in the Civil Rights Enforcement Section. In this capacity, she has represented California and its agencies in complex affirmative and defensive litigation, primarily in the federal trial and appellate courts. Ms. Cisneros has led teams litigating cases in the areas of gender equality, immigration, healthcare, workplace safety, and antidiscrimination law.